A/N: Wow, thanks again for all the reviews! My original goal for this story was 20 reviews and thanks to you guys I'm almost there! I'm so glad you guys didn't find the last chapter really boring! I'll try to make this chapter longer, but I don't know if I can. By the way gust-rider, I think Gaara looks really cute in that panda costume!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 4

Hinata awoke the next morning, with nothing to do. She sighed and sat up, although she was delighted she had done her mission well she was still pretty upset knowing that the rest of the day would be spent training alone. A knock on her door startled her so much that she fell off the bed and onto the floor. Neji, being the one who knocked, heard the familiar thump and almost started to laugh.

"Hinata-sama, are you okay?" Neji asked, not being able to hold in a small smile.

"H-h-hai N-neji-ni-san!" Hinata squeaked getting to her knees.

"Are you sure? That sounded like a pretty bad fall, Hinata-sama," Neji, said with a slightly teasing tone.

"N-neji! A-a-are y-you joking with m-me?" Hinata asked, with false astonishment.

"Yes," Neji admitted. "Hinata-sama, my I come in?"

"H-h-hai! J-just w-wait one s-second!" Hinata cried getting up, and running to her closet and getting dressed.

A moment later the door was opened and Hinata led Neji into her room. They both situated themselves on cushions across from each other, and an awkward silence spread over them. Hinata shifted uncomfortably, and Neji for once kept his eyes lowered, until he finally remembered why he came to her in the first place.

"Hinata-sama, I was asked by one of the maids if I could go into town today to buy a few things, I was wondering if you would like to come to. I thought you might like to since you have the day off and I know how boring training alone can be, since Kiba and Shino are on a mission," Neji replied.

"A-arigotou n-n-ni-san, of course I'll c-come," Hinata said, a smile spreading across her face.

"Alright Hinata-sama," Neji replied smiling also. "We'll be leaving shortly; I'll meet you down stairs in the main hall."

"H-hai ni-san," Hinata said closing the door behind Neji.

Neji gave himself a mental pat on his back as he walked down the hall. He was proud that he was able to interact with his cousin so calmly, and her to react equally calm. A few minutes later Hinata saw Neji waiting for her at the front door and she immediately got nervous.

"G-g-g-gomen, N-n-n-neji-ni-san," Hinata stuttered with her head down as she began to slide on her shoes.

"For what Hinata-sama?" Neji asked, almost hitting himself for scaring her again.

"Y-y-you had t-to w-wait f-for m-me, g-g-gomen," Hinata said, sadly and quietly.

"No Hinata-sama really it's okay, I may still be learning to be more patient, but I was waiting at all that long for you so don't worry, about it okay?" Neji said, realizing it and almost smiling at her ignorance and innocence.

"R-really?" Hinata asked standing and looking at him with hopeful eyes as they stepped out of the house.

"Yes, really," He said opening the front gate for her.

"A-arigotou n-ni-san," Hinata, said happily, then without warning she hugged him.

Neji didn't know what to do, clearly not accustomed to hugging, patted her back awkwardly. After a moment or two she pulled away, a light blush covering her smiling face.

"L-let's go n-ni-san," Hinata said, starting to walk forward, a confused Neji following her.

They spent all morning shopping for the things they needed back at their manor, they stayed relatively quiet.

"This is our last stop okay, Hinata-sama?" Neji asked as they stood outside a tiny little shop.

"Okay, w-what f-f-for ni-san?" Hinata asked, knowing that this store doesn't have anything they would need for the compound.

"Well, I uh special ordered something for Tenten for her birthday; Gai said we had to be friendlier with each other so we are forced to get each other birthday gifts," Neji said, not looking at Hinata.

"O-okay n-ni-san, gomen i-if I e-e-embarrassed y-you," Hinata murmured, holding in a giggle.

They walked into the shop and Neji immediately went to the front desk to pick up the gift, while Hinata wandered the store aimlessly. Nothing really caught her eye until she turned down the next aisle. There on the shelf sat a small plush fax with a small collar around its neck and a name tag. It was red with big blue eyes and on the nametag in fancy curly black writing it said Ramen. Hinata's eyes lit up with happiness and she grabbed it from its shelf, she ran up to the store counter just as Neji was done paying and set it down.

"I can tell that this is going to be a gift for someone special right?" the store clerk asked, as Hinata stood there, a huge smile on her face.

"H-hai, s-s-someone v-very special t-to m-me," Hinata looked down when she said the last part, her face turning an interesting shade of red.

"Well here," the clerk said handing the fox, now neatly wrapped in a small box, to Hinata.

"B-b-but, h-h-how m-much d-does it c-cost?" Hinata asked, reaching in her coat pocket for some money.

"Aww, nothing. It's free of charge okay?" the clerk said smiling.

"I-I-I c-couldn't do t-that!" Hinata said, trying to give the clerk some money.

"I don't want your money," the clerk said, and then thinking for a moment came up with an alternative. "Promise me that you will give the fox to this person with no regrets, make sure you show them your feelings, and become a better person because of it. Do you think you can do that?"

Hinata smiled at the clerk and nodded, tears pricking at her eyelids because of this strangers kindness and understanding.

"Good, then that's all I want from you," the clerk replied. "Now get going, and give it to them!"

"H-hai, a-a-arigotou!" Hinata cried, as she walked out of the shop Neji following closely behind.

They began to walk home in silence, Neji thinking about why she bought the fox and Hinata about how to present the fox.

"It's for Naruto isn't it?" Neji asked, catching Hinata off guard.

"H-hai," she whispered her face tomato red.

"He's at his team's training grounds, I wish you good luck Hinata-sama," Neji said as they reached the turn to the Hyuuga manor.

"N-n-ni-san, how…" Hinata asked, but stopped when Neji stared at her with Byakugan blazing.

"Be brave Hinata," Neji replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry I won't be far."

With that Neji left Hinata standing there, box clasped tightly in hand, and face a bright cherry color. After standing there a few moments, she mustered up all her courage and rushed to team 7's training grounds, silently thanking Neji in her head. (A/N: okay here is where things might get a bit confusing so just let me know okay?)

When Temari went to the Hokage tower the next morning she was in for a big surprise; Shikamaru was waiting for her in all his lazy glory.

"What are you doing here lazy ass?" Temari asked.

"Troublesome woman, I'm here to be your guide for the rest of your stay in Konoha," Shikamaru said, and if she looked close enough there was a faint blush on his face.

"Oh I see, you missed me," Temari said, smirking in triumph. "Fine then, you can lead me around Konoha, starting with the training grounds."

"But those are on the other side of the village," Shikamaru said, not understanding at first. (A/N: yeah right there he's kinda slow, but that's okay!)

"Exactly," Temari said, leading the way out the door, Shikamaru finally following her with a mumbled 'troublesome woman' that didn't go unnoticed.

Sakura was walking around Konoha alone, as she usually did since Sasuke left. Her mind raced over thoughts of her feelings towards Sasuke and Naruto. She also thought about all the people that would be affected by her decision. Finally she thought she could make up her mind, with a small smile on her face she raced to the training grounds where she knew Naruto would be.

Neji rushed into the Hyuuga manor, the groceries in hand. He placed them on the counter and headed out the back door.

"Neji-ni-san, why are you in such a hurry?" Hannabi asked, as her cousin raced across the grounds.

"Gomen, Hannabi-sama, I can't talk right now," Neji called behind him.

Hiashi sat not too far from Neji as he saw him running past. His brow furrowed and he called his nephew over.

"Hai, Hiashi-sama?" Neji asked, barely able to restrain the annoyance in his voice.

"I will train you today Neji," Hiashi said.

Neji thought about it for a minute, being able to beat that smug bastard into the ground was so tempting. But then, just as he was about to accept he remembered what he said to Hinata, he had promised himself to rebuild their friendship. If he wasn't there for her now he knew it would never be fixed.

"G-gomen uncle, but can we train some other time?" Neji asked, concentrating so hard on his objective he didn't even notice the stutter.

"Why Neji? What is more important than training with an elder? Who is the cause of this distraction?' Hiashi asked anger evident.

Neji thought for a moment, deciding he would choose his words carefully.

"My main objective set by the Hyuuga clan, is that I am to protect Hinata-sama at all costs. I believe that her safety may be compromised at this point in time, I must go now, to make sure I am fulfilling my duties not only as Hinata-sama's guardian but also as her cousin." Neji concluded, itching to leave.

"If you sacrifice this opportunity to train with me now for that weakling then there will be a punishment, are you still willing?" Hiashi asked, harshly.

"Yes I am uncle," Neji said, anger rushing through his veins. "Hinata-sama is my cousin, my own flesh and blood, I am her protector, and I will accept any punishment."

Not another word was spoken as Neji disappeared, and the Hyuuga gardens were silent and still. Then without warning a deep laugh filled the air, after a few minutes Hiashi calmed himself. A small smile still present, as he went to find Hannabi, to begin her training for the day.

Hinata finally made it to the training grounds and found Naruto as usual training as hard as he could. Just looking at him from the bush she was hiding in made her face turn beet red. She thought it had been great that she was able to make it there without any regret, but it was too good to be true, now the doubts came full force.

'It was a stupid idea to get him a fox,' Hinata thought as she continued to watch. 'He's not a girl, and I don't think I could ever tell him that I got it because it reminded me of him.'

Her thoughts were broken when Sakura walked into the clearing, Naruto didn't even seem to notice as he continued with his training.

"Naruto," Sakura said, getting no reply. "Naruto," she said again, a little louder. "NARUTO!"

Naruto finally turned at the harsh voice, Sakura was standing there face red and ears steaming in anger.

"Oh hi Sakura-chan! What's up?" Naruto asked, making Sakura's anger dissipate.

"Naruto, I want to talk to you…about Sasuke," Sakura said, her eyes downcast as Naruto's expression hardened.

Hinata debated with herself from inside the bush, they were about to talk about something that was really personal. Her body told her to stay, while her heart told her to go, to bad her body won. So she sat crouched in the bush listening to them talk about Sasuke.

"Sakura, I will find him, I promise you," Naruto said, walking towards Sakura and putting his hands on her shoulders.

Sakura began to cry and pushed herself against Naruto as her sobs continued. Naruto acted as if this wasn't anything new and rubbed comforting circles on her back. Hinata was feeling her heart sink, she really wanted to leave now, but her legs wouldn't let her.

"Naruto I'm sorry!" Sakura sobbed into his shoulder.

"What are you sorry for Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked curiously, pulling away to look her in the face.

"I just can't decide, I still love Sasuke and I think I love you," Sakura continued.

Hinata was vaguely aware that her heart had just stopped; her hands on the present tightened and made the box cave in, ripping the beautiful paper. Unaware of all this Hinata started to bite her lip, fighting the urge to go in the clearing and tell Naruto right in front of Sakura.

"W-what Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, not believing his ears.

"I s-said I think I love you, but Naruto will you really be able to except my love? Even if I give it to someone else later?" Sakura asked, still teary eyed.

Hinata held her breath, teeth still gnawing on her bottom lip, by this time she had ripped the present open, holding the plush fox between her hands.

"I will always accept your love, Sakura," Naruto said, leaning closer to her face.

Eyes closed, Hinata prayed that this was just a dream, but when she opened them there the two teammates stood, lips locked in the middle of the training ground. Blood slid down Hinata's chin, she had pierced her lip with her teeth, and now her mouth was quivering as the tears began to well in her eyes. She made the bush shake a little making the two well trained ninja's pull apart and stare at the bush. Sakura stayed pressed against Naruto's chest, as he drew a kunai, and threw it at the bush Hinata was hiding in. After the kunai was thrown Hinata just lost it, she crawled out from the bushes and began to run as fast she could, blind as the tears continued to flow, without even knowing it dropping the fox.

"You check the bushes Naruto, I'll chase them if they got away," Sakura said, before disappearing.

Naruto walked over to the bush, he saw his kunai lying on the ground, next to it a few drops of blood, and next to that laid a torn open box and a plush fox. He bent down and picked it up, he looked at the collar and read the name, and he smiled. Picking up his kunai, he contemplated getting actual ramen as he put the fox in his pouch.

Sakura continued to pursue the person who was watching; finally she was close enough to see the back of their head. Familiar indigo locks bounced as the person kept running. The pink haired girl sopped, when she recognized who the person was.

"Gomen, Hinata-san," Sakura whispered as a tear slowly rolled down her face.

Hinata kept running, her hand unconsciously clenching the area near her heart. Pain shot through her chest, making her slow down. It almost felt like she was fighting Neji all over again, soon she reached the road and had slowed down to a walk, hand still against her chest. Temari and Shikamaru happened to be walking down that road, when they saw Hinata, Temari grinned.

"Hinata-chan!" Hey over hear Hinata!" Temari called, waving her hand in the air, as Shikamaru just stood there looking at Hinata.

Slowly Hinata turned to Temari, her face pale and tear worn, Temari's smile faded and her hand fell to her side. Shikamaru looked harder at Hinata, as if trying to make sure that was still her. Neji, who was walking along the same path as the other two, saw them stopped, and walked over to them.

"What's wrong?" Neji asked, not even noticing his cousin.

"What do you mean what's wrong? Your cousin is…" Temari began, but stopped as Shikamaru quickly preformed his shadow technique as Hinata began to fall.

Shikamaru began to run at Hinata, making her do the same, right before they were about to collide he released the jutsu and caught her before she fell. He knelt, the other two quickly doing the same. Hinata's face was twisted in pain, and she was to weak to even speak, in yet the tears rolled from her eyes.

"Hinata-chan," can you hear me?!" Temari cried frantically, getting no response.

"Hinata-sama?! Please answer us Hinata-sama!" Neji cried also.

Hinata's eyes rolled and focused on Shikamaru, he looked down at her concerned, his hand pressed against her heart.

"I f-f-f-feel l-like I'm d-d-d-dying," she whispered before her eyes closed, and didn't open again.

"Hinata!" Temari and Neji cried in unison.

The small pale Hyuuga girl, writhed and whimpered, before her mouth open and she coughed, blood splattering her jacket and Shikamaru's hand.

"Quick," Shikamaru said, picking Hinata up. "We have to get her to the hospital now."

"Why?! Is she going to be alright? Hinata-sama!" Neji, cried.

"Yeah, Shikamaru, is she going to be okay?" Temari asked as they began to race toward the hospital.

"Honestly I don't know," Shikamaru replied, shifting Hinata so it would be easier to carry her.

"But I thought you were supposed to be a genius!" Temari cried, angrily.

"Sorry Temari, I don't know everything!" Shikamaru shouted, partly blaming himself for Hinata's condition.

"Well if it's as serious as you say, let's move faster," Neji put in.

The rest of the trip was silent, except for the occasional bloody cough, from the broken hearted Kunoichi.

A/N: Yeah well that took forever, so sorry! This chapter is longer than the rest so I hope that's good enough! Remember if you get confused just tell me and I'll try to explain it better for you! And don't worry Gaara lovers he'll be coming in around the next two chapters okay! So please as usual read and review!